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A Relativist's Toolkit: The Mathematics of Black-Hole Mechanics
This textbook fills a gap in the existing literature on general relativity by providing the advanced student with practical tools for the computation of many physically interesting quantities. The context is provided by the mathematical theory of black holes, one of the most successful and relevant applications of general relativity. Topics covered include congruences of timelike and null geodesics, the embedding of spacelike, timelike and null hypersurfaces in spacetime, and the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of general relativity.
Hardcover
First published May 6, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 2, 2016
Extremely good book, especially due to many explicit computations. Some notations are a little awkward, e.g. calling a one-form a vector (although confusion can be remedied since we have the metric). The exposition on chapter 2 (congruences), chapter 3 (hypersurfaces) chapter 4 (Hamiltonian formalism) and chapter 5 (black holes) are extremely illuminating due to explicit computations presented (which is often missing from Wald). Black hole thermodynamics are covered pretty well. Thus this is a very good text to complement Wald.
To reap most benefits, one should be acquainted with basics of general relativity (at the level of Schutz's introductory text) and perhaps some skimming through of more advanced text like Wald or Carroll's GR texts (because some references to the more advanced ideas are made, e.g. congruences). And one should be acquainted with some basic notions of differential geometry as well, because without it even this text may appear harder than it is supposed to be. Indeed more elegance can be found in Wald or Hawking or other texts, however this bridges the gap in technicality very well.
One should really not treat this text as a source to learn GR. One should use this to complement other texts.
To reap most benefits, one should be acquainted with basics of general relativity (at the level of Schutz's introductory text) and perhaps some skimming through of more advanced text like Wald or Carroll's GR texts (because some references to the more advanced ideas are made, e.g. congruences). And one should be acquainted with some basic notions of differential geometry as well, because without it even this text may appear harder than it is supposed to be. Indeed more elegance can be found in Wald or Hawking or other texts, however this bridges the gap in technicality very well.
One should really not treat this text as a source to learn GR. One should use this to complement other texts.
November 30, 2012
The book should be read for "intermediate" students of relativity (i.e., those who haven't yet read Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler...or Wald).
This is a great introduction of some advanced concepts. For a while, it was the only book that really discussed aspects of hypersurfaces (now there is a better introduction: Bojowald's Canonical Gravity and Applications Cosmology Black Holes and Quantum Gravity).
Nevertheless, there are many gems in this book not explained in MTW or Wald. Highly recommended.
The writing style is quite beautiful and clear, an added bonus!
This is a great introduction of some advanced concepts. For a while, it was the only book that really discussed aspects of hypersurfaces (now there is a better introduction: Bojowald's Canonical Gravity and Applications Cosmology Black Holes and Quantum Gravity).
Nevertheless, there are many gems in this book not explained in MTW or Wald. Highly recommended.
The writing style is quite beautiful and clear, an added bonus!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews